Media release

Australia’s search and rescue heroes honoured

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) congratulates the recipients of this year’s National Search and Rescue Council’s Australian Search and Rescue (NATSAR) Awards for 2021-22.

The annual awards were presented by the NATSAR Council tonight in Melbourne in recognition of outstanding contributions to search and rescue (SAR) within the Australian region. 

AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said it was an honour to recognise and applaud the actions of the recipients of the awards.  

Lost 80-year-old found in remote WA

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has assisted Western Australian Police (WA Police) in the search for a missing 80-year-old man on a property in Lake Barlee, near Sandstone, in remote mid-west Western Australia.

The man left his vehicle on the property on Friday afternoon (19 August) and failed to return home by the expected time.

International award presented at Cape Byron Lighthouse

A prestigious international award was presented today at Byron Bay’s iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse after the tower was named the 2021 Heritage Lighthouse of the Year by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). 

The unique glass trophy, hand-crafted in the Republic of Korea, was presented by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which operates the lighthouse, to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which manages the lightstation and museum. 

Expressions of Interest for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal artists for aircraft artwork

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are welcoming artwork submissions from Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal artists to feature on a rescue aircraft.

The selected artwork will be reproduced on a Challenger 604 rescue aircraft, which is part of the AMSA search and rescue fleet. In addition to the highly visible orange and black “AMSA Rescue” branding, the selected artwork will become a prominent feature of the aircraft.

Passenger vessel owner convicted for breaching safety standards

The owner of a passenger vessel which had numerous safety issues, who ignored a prohibition notice and continued to operate, was convicted in Gosford Local Court on 14 December 2021. 

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions laid charges against the owner of the Lady Kendall II, on behalf of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), for breach of a prohibition notice under the Maritime Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012. 

Cape Wickham and Mersey Bluff Lighthouse Heritage Management Plans open for consultation

We are seeking feedback on draft heritage management plans for two iconic Lighthouses, located to Tasmania’s north.   

Cape Wickham and Mersey Bluff Lighthouses have draft heritage management plans open for members of the public to view and have their say. 

The plans set out the policies and management guidelines to ensure that the Commonwealth heritage values of the lighthouses are recognised, maintained, and preserved for future generations.